Ebay sniping tools

People don't have to. The counter argument would be that if people didn't circumvent the rules in this way then charges would not need to be so high.

The one I like is when someone wrote to Photo Technique and ended "You should see what a sparrow can do to a jet engine." They suggested that if he was ecologically conscious he should have been saying, "You should see what a jet engine can do to a sparrow."

It's a moral issue as well as anything else, and there we must all find the answer that suits us personally.

LOL!

Ebay and morality used in the same response...

Personally, I am comfortable with using ebay both within and outside the rules. No laws are being broken. My invoice this month is £38, so they get their pound of flesh on a regular basis.

I'm sorry I must be making ebay more expensive for you to use John...

Thinking about it, I dislike the way that you suggest I'm somehow immoral by trading with other ebayers in this way, I think you should get a sense of perspective.

Is it a good view from up there John?...

The point I was making was not directed at anyone in particular, more of a generalised comment.

eBay certainly seems to be contentious as an issue, but in the end it does afford us the mechanism to sell to a very very wide audience, and to buy things that would otherwise be almost impossible to find.

That's true, and one of the reasons why I and many others still use it no doubt, despite its shortcomings.

Ironically, ebay must be one of the main beneficiaries of seeing something for sale in a shop or in a magazine, and then going 'online' to try and find it cheaper.

That's why I say nobody should lose any sleep or shed any tears where ebay appear to be disadvantaged at times.

Don't think it offers much in the way of protection though. One of my buyers, buyers (if you see what I mean!), was subject to a paypal chargeback, and the money that my buyer had spent with me was taken back, and subsequently taken from me too! The only people who didn't lose out were Paypal it would seem....

Yes, the way funds are frozen and potentially taken back is a difficulty. It's particularly galling when the trouble is caused by zero feedback buyers who either have no clue what they are doing, or are very clever and want something for nothing and know how to get it.

Still it doesn't stop me from using eBay either, and it has been of immensly more benefit to me than disadvantage.

As with most communities I find 99+% of Ebay members are honest, decent people and dealing with them is a pleasure. I've had several very pleasent chats over a pint in the local pub while checking over an item before money changes hands.

It's the minority who give it a bad name.

I can understand that. However, I've never seen any reports of security problems about the one I use - vrane.com - that has been operating reputably for a number of years.

You get your item for less when other bidders are not encouraged to change their minds about what they are prepared to pay. The later you bid, the less chance the other bidders have to think "well, it's only another pound".

Especially with rare or second-hand items, it's difficult for human beings to come up with an exact set amount that an item is worth to them, and to stick to it.

As for sniping being too popular, more than half the bids I get on my items for sale tend to be placed before the last few minuites of the auction, so it's still a minority method in my experience.

I don't claim you'll always win or always save money by sniping, but I reckon it does give an advantage sometimes, so you'll win more and save money in the long run by sniping if you buy a lot of items off eBay.

I will also only sell like that if the enquiry is made by a member of good standing.
[/quote]Could you elaborate on the above term "member of good standing", sharks come in all shapes and sizes and the best old adage is Buyer Be Ware

Check the feedback for starters, open an email conversation, and talk to them on the phone if necessary.

Buy the seller, not the item....